Letter: Do people refuse to see?

Published: 08-23-2024 8:51 AM

Gazans are being brutalized, left homeless, starving, and terrorized by continual shelling. They are living an endless nightmare of death and destruction. It is absolutely horrific and yet it continues as you read this.

President Joe Biden talks tough, but in actions, ensures Israeli barbarity can continue unabated. Congress are willing executioners, as well, approving unending bombs and money. Meanwhile, Israel assassinates Gaza's chief peace negotiator (Ismail Haniyeh) and seems to be instigating a wider, hot war in the region by launching missile strikes into neighboring countries with impunity. Yet, our Congress and our state pass laws that punish American citizens for criticizing the Israeli government.

This is how genocide happens -- by governments (always by governments) far away, conducted against a people propagandized into the "other,” stripped of their humanity so we don't feel their suffering. We know this. We study this. Yet, it's happening.

America has fully embraced Holocaust and genocide studies, but apparently to no effect. Has it all been for show? Our Congress, showing rare bipartisan agreement, can't send weapons and support to Israel fast enough despite the evidence of war crimes, despite the ongoing documentation of crimes against humanity.

We can all tune in to the horror in real time if we wish. We can read the wrenching testimony of doctors and aid workers on the ground, heroically trying to ease the extreme suffering of Gaza's people while Israel blocks tragically dwindling resources. No one can claim they don't know, only that they refuse to look, refuse to act. People around the world are watching, seeing "American values" on full display. It's appalling.

Are you refusing to see?

Tricia Saenger

Temple

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